Lapping press



R. s. SMITH AND T. HANSEN. LAPPI'NG PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZB, 192 0.

1,417,581. Patented may'so, 1922.

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LAPPING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZG. 1920. v 1,417,581. Patented. May 30,1922;

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Pic-- REUBEN STANLEY SMITH AND THoiavnLn HANSEN, or. MILWAUK E, Wisconsin, assrernons' TO A. 0. SMITH GORBORATION, or ,MILWAUKEE, wrsooivsrmla CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

I Application filed uly 26',

To all whom it may con om n:

Be it known that we, REUBEN STANLEY SMITH and THoRvALD Hansen, citizens of the United States, and residents of thecity of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lapping Presses, (Case :ttll5) and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, such as will enable persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings for an illustration of one form of construction in which our invention has been embodied.

The invention relates to lapping presses.

The object of our invention is to provide a mechanism which will expeditiously turn, bend or fold and flatten the projecting ends of the flanges of a channeled cross bar, so as to form fastening cars by means of which the cross bars may be connected to the side bars of an automobile or other vehicle frame, to constitute a rigid, unitary and permanent structure. The ears formed bybending the projecting ends may extend into the channel of the cross bar, or such ears may be made to radiate from the bar. In some types of bars the said ears may be tandem to each other. But the direction in which the ears re made to extend will be merely an incident in the production of the frame, and dependent upon the construction of the frame as a whole. Usually, such fastening cars will stand at an angle of 90 with relation to the longitudinal or axial line of the crossbar upon which they are formed, but such angle may be varied to meet therequirements of any particular type of frame.

In anapplication filed January 21,1918, Serial #212,934, by R. Stanley Smith, patented November 15, 1921, #1,397,020, one of the parties hereto, there is disclosed-an assemblage of machines, suchassemblage including machines which by their related, connected and successive operations, punch from metal plates and strips the side and cross exact points desired LAPPING rnnss.

Specification of Letters Patent. .MIay 30, 1922,

1920. Serial No. 399,215.

bar and other blanks used inconstructing'an automobile or other vehicle frame, drawsuch blanks into shape according to the require ments appertain ng to each particulaiytype of frame which it isfd'esired to produce, perform the necessary millingoperations upon the shaped blanks, assemblethe several constituent parts of the frame in their relative positions, and permanently secure all of such parts-in their respective positions, 50 that in a continuous operation of mechanicaldevices i a completed automobile or other vehicle frame is automatically produced. The pres-v ent invention is designed to form. an element of the assemblage of machines referred to. But it will beunderstood that the present structure has "capacity foruse in the performance of its functions independently of" such assemblage.

For the purpose of presenting the flanged cross bars in position for operation thereon by the lapping mechanism embodied in the present invention, we may use a turretxsuch as is disclosed in the patent above mentioned.

In its periodic movements, the turret pre v sents the flanged cross bars to the lapping! mechanism, by the operation of which the ends are bent or lapped to form the fasteningears, this operation taking place during the periods of rest towhich thesaidj turret is subjected in its predetermined cycleof movement. I

hen a cross bar is presented tothelapping mechanism by the turret referred to, or otherwise, such bar is firmly held byclamping members whichco-act with the lapping s5 dies, so that the projecting endportions may be bent to form the fastening ears .at-the in the length of the cross bar. i i

The inventionfinvolves a novel form of lapping die which-is so mountedv as tohave a movement of partial rotationabout an axis which is co-incident withthat on which the 1 projecting end portion: ofthe crossbar is turned. The lapping dies are constructed so ment, and bend the projecting end portions either toward or from the longitudinal axis of the cross bar.

Novel means have been provided for actuating the lapping dies.

The novel features of my invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings which accompany this specification Figure 1 a side view in elevation on the central line 11, Fig. 2, and partly broken out to show the arrangement of the elements constituting our improved lapping mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, but partly in section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1, of the-lapping mechanism showing Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the operation of the lapping dies when acting to fold the projecting-ends of the flanges of the cross bar into the channel thereof.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the operation of the lapping dies when folding such projecting ends outwardly, so that the latter will extend in opposite directions, and away from the crossbar.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View in elevation, lOOkiIig from the left in Fig. 1, and showing the arrangement of the lapping mechanism at one end of the cross bar.

Fig. 6 is a similar view looking toward I Fig. 1, and toward the right, Fig. 5.

In the drawings which accompany this specification, 10 indicates the base upon which the lapping mechanism constituting our invention is mounted. Separate housings 11 and 12, each containing a lapping mechanism for operating upon the projecting portions at each end of the cross bar, are mounted upon the said base, and have capacity for movement toward and from each other, so that their relative positions may be adjusted to meet the changed conditions involved in the production of cross bars of different lengths. It will be understood that the two lapping mechanisms operate simultaneously upon the two ends of. the cross bar, so that the longitudinal stresses exerted in the operation of one lapping mechanism upon one'end of the cross bar, are neutralized by like stresses exerted at the same time upon the other end of the cross bar by the other lapping mechanism.

To permit the relative adjustment of the two lapping mechanisms, we provide the base 10 with guides 13 and 14, upon which the housings 11 and 12, with their contained operating elements, are free to be moved toward and from each other. Parallel. racks 15 and 16 are set in the base 10, and these racks are in mesh with pinions 17 and 18, fixed upon a shaft 19 which is journaled in the housing. By means of a hand wheel 20, upon the outer end of the shaft 19, the pinions may be rotated to cause the housings to change their relative positions, and thus the desired precise adjustment of the housings may be secured. A set screw 21, threaded into a lug'22 on the base of each housing, and bearing against the base 10, serves to clamp the housing with its lapping, mechanismin the position to which it has been adjusted, and hold the same against accidental displacement. v

A shaft 23 extends through and is journaled for oscillation in both housings. This shaft 23, is splined throughout its length, so

that the two housings may be relatively admechanism, arranged as convenience may indicate to be desirable. By means of such actuating mechanism the shaft 23 may be given oscillatory movements, for a purpose to be later described.

Each of the two lapping mechanisms constituting a set, is ordinarily provided with two lapping dies, which in the construction illustrated, are intended to act upon the pro jecting portions of the two vertically standing flanges with which each cross bar is formed. anisms of each set are similar in construction and operation, but have a slightly dif ferent arrangement, imposed by the limitations of space wherein which they are required to perform their work, and the necessity for adjustment of the operating zone of one of the dies when cross bars of different widths are produced. It will be sufficien for the purposes of the present di closure to describe somewhat specifically the more complexly constructed one of such dies, together with the manner of its mount-' ing, it being understood. that the construction of the other is in all essentials the same, and differs only in its relative location, and the lack of the provisions for the zone adjustment before referred to.

Vertical shafts 26 and 27, disposed in parallel planes and separated on centers by the width of the cross bar, viewing Fig; 1, support the lapping dies at their contiguous or adjacent ends. These shafts have a move ment of partial rotation. or oscillation through an arc of 90, to actuate the lapping dies to cause the latter to perform their function of turning the projecting ends of the cross bar, to form fastening ears or laps. The said shafts 26 and 27 have also an axial or longitudinal movement, through which the lapping dies supported thereon. may be properly positioned to turn the projecting ends of the cross bar, and thenretracted or withdrawn so as to allow a clear- The two lapping dies'of the mechof the diemay be-concentricwith the shaft made.

ance space for the. free movementof; the

cross bar into and out of position for the operation of the lapping mechanisms. The shaft 26 is guided at its upper end in a forked bracket 28,- whieh latter is adjustablyv mounted at the top of the housing, and held.

in a set position by means of bolts passing through slots in the bracket. A- radial arm 29 is splined upon the shaft 26, and is'received in the fork of the bracket, so that the said shaft may have longitudinal. movement without disturbing the relative positionof the said radial arm. a

The lower end 0f',the shaft 26is journaled in an adjustable bearing 30'connect'ed to a slide 31', guided upon the front of and restrained from longitudinal movement:

by a lug on the'slide 31,.p-rovides-a compensatory adjustment, whereby the parallel alignment of the shaft 26 with relation to the shaft 27, may be changed so as to provide for the treatment ofcross-bars. of different widths.

The corresponding adjustment bracket 28, by means of the'provision's hereinbefore described, enables the shaft 26, to' be maintained inparallelism. The bottom plate 33 of the slide 31,.isslotted as at 36,

toipermit the lateralmovementof the shaft.

26, when the adjustment. describedis being to the slide 31, after adjustment.

At its lower end, the shaft 26 is provided with aflangedihead35, to whichthe lapping die 38, pertaining to the shaft 26, is attached;

by any suitable fastening'means. The said head is grooved diametrlcally upon its face for V the receptlon of a correspondingly formed rib on the base of the die. By this means the registry of the die and the'head is .secured, and the two parts are thusinterlocked so as to rotate together.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the configuration of the angular lapping dies, which are provided with vertical faces standing apart. [,The axis of rotation of the die is approximately co-incident with the line upon which the projecting end of'the cross bar is turnedor bent. to form the fastening ear. The base head; 35, and the wings leadingyfromthe base of the die to the eXtremit-ythereof may he tapered,.as indicated at 3-9.

i "of the Set screws 37, clamp-the journal 30 The shaft. 27. is guidedin a "fixed hear-- ing; 270, extending from the-front of; the housing,jandis journaled at. itsupper end in. the ;lower slide--31, and does notneed the provisions for lateral adjustment" described in connection with theshaft 26, although as stated, both shafts'are equipped with dies of like formation. The longitudinal move? ment-ofthe shafts 26 and. 27 to bring the dies supported thereon into position to pere form the-lapping,operations, iseifected-by meansof centrally. pivoted floating levers l0 andtl; connected'atoneend to the slides Y 31, so as toreciprooate the same,and at their 1 other ends by means of'llinks d2 and 14l3,; to-atwo armlev'er l4, splinedupon the shaft 23,- before referred'to, and-partaking of the, 7

partial rotatory or,rocking movementsof the latter, I P .;The upper slide Bl-supports... slidablyg: mounted clamping members 46, formed as wedges, ,-which co-act with otheraclamping; membersf47, carriedby' the lower,slide 3l, H

such other clamping members beingjlilrewise a .formed as wedges. The wedges t6are sup; ported. and: guided in an,. undercut Sl0t1.l60, forming in an extension 350 of the-uppen slide'3l. The lower slide 3l-carries also a] filler block 48, designed 1 to enter the channel.

of the cross bar at the-end thereof,a nd bear,"

against-the side flanges of such cross bar.

.9 astheslides approachfeach other, In. the

same movement, the inclinecl'surfacesof the wedges 46 and 7-,upon' the respectiveslides,

to bear against the sides 'of; the; flanges: and

' co-act so as to cause the, movable parts 1 tightly clamp; the crossbar; upontlie filler.

block; {18. -"Th'e acting. faces of the .lapp.iIig-;J dies 38, stand parallel to, the radius of. the shaft upon which! they'are-supported, and:

oifsetgfrom such radius a distance. equal as the gauge of the. stock of. the crossbar, so"

that the foldinglinef-ofithe projecting endlf of the; cross bar will be coeincidcnt with the axis of the-shaft. carryingthe lapping die. i j I, .A' quarter turn of the-shafts26 and 27, by

means ofitmec hanisms' to be described, will.

j e cting ends of theeross bar against. the

filler block 48, inoase. such nojecting-ends' are to be turned in direct ons toward each cause the dies 38 to bend'or flatten the pro other and to extend into the channelof the: bar, The lclampingmembers 4l6-and 4c7f'are adjustable, and the 1 filler bloclr Agsf is interi changeable, so that cross bars of different I widths may be properly; treated by suitable.

adjustments ELIICl'I'GPlZlCQInGHtS- OE the said parts. When the projecting ends of the cross bar are to be turned or; bent radially from the axis of the bar, or to stand in "tandem re .latiom; othen lapping dies equipped with properly positioned'acting'faces willbe sup? pliedto the heads of ithe shafts 26: and' 27 In the, construction I illustrated, the shafts .26-and 27,. are given a. movement of partial rotation through an arc of about 90"." Such rotary movement is effected by means of the radial arm 29, before referred to, splined upon the shaft 26, and alike armsimilarly arranged with relation to the shaft 27.

, driven by a set of bevel gears 56, the intermediate one of which is provided with a sleeve 59, splined upon a line shaft 57', journaled inthe movable housings 11 and 12.

I The link 50, hereinbefore referred to as connecting the radial arm 28 of the shaft 26,

and the crank 52 on the shaft 54c,-isprovided with a turn buckle 58, to provide a means for conforming the length of the said link,

in the lateral adjustment of the shaft 26.-

The boss on the lower arm of the crank 53,

i on the shaft 55, serves as a thrust bearing,

c ends of the channel cross bars.

. the slide 31.

to preserve the vertical position of the said shaft.

In Fig. 2, we have shown a portion of the intermittingly revolving turret 60, which may constitute an element ofthe assemblage disclosed in the patent hereinbefore referred to, and which is provided at its periphery with barsor clamps 61, into which the cross bars 62 are set, and by which they are 130814 tioned and properly presentedto the lap-- ping mechanism, in the intermittingmovements of the turret, so that the pro ecting ends 63 onthe'cross bar may be bent or turned so as to form the fastening ears or laps 64, in the operation of thelapping dies. Each of the housings is cut awayin the rear of the lapping mechanisms,'as indicated at 66, in Figs. 1 and 6,'so as to provide a clearance for the passage of the cross bar 62, when presented. by the turret. The shafts 26 and 27, carrying the lapping dies operating at each end of a cross bar, will be made to rotate in the desired directions by any suitable arrangement of the radial arms with respect to the shafts 26 and 27, upon which. the said radial arms are splined.

\Vhile in the foregoing we have described shaft 27. This adjustment of shaft 26 may be resorted. to in cases'where it is desired to vary in a slight degree the arrangement of the fastening gears produced upon the The angularity'of the shaft 26 with relation to the shaft 27 will depend upon the degree of separate adjustment The arrangement of each set of'lapping die shafts 26 and 27 so as to eXtend"in-op-' of the bracket 28 and which the said parts are subjected in the operation of the 7 machine;

In usingthe lapping mechanism involved;

infthe present invention, the flanged cross bar may be'manually' placed in position for the operation of the lapping' -dies, in case it isnot expedient touse automatic devices,

such as the turret referred to, for thuspositioning the cross bars.

'lvfodificationsof the structure and in the arrangement of the parts, may be made without departing from, the spirit of our invenvention. Suchchanges as may be made will be within the scope of our invention.

Having' thus described our invention,

whatwe claim and desire to secure by Lett ers Patent of the United States, is:

1. A lapping press for bending the projecting ends of the flanges of-a channeled bar, including means for supporting the baryclztmping-jaws movable toward and from each other to engage the side flanges of a channel bar carried by said support, a

pair of rotatable shafts each having a'l'apping die adapted to bear against the projecting end of one ofthe flanges, the axis of each shaft being in substantial alignment with the bending line of the saidpro jecting end, and means for simultaneously actuating said shafts to turn the projecting jecting ends ofa flanged bar, including a plurality of shafts supported in'po sitions' longitudinally and laterally separated from .1lO: ends of said flanges from their'initial planes. 2. A lapping press for bending the ,pro-

lapping dies mounted on the shafts and adapted to bear against and turn the pro jecting ends of the flangedbar, and'means for rotating the shafts.

3; A lapping press for bending the .pro

jecting ends of the flanges of a channeled bar, comprising'a separableclainp for hold-j ing the bar, a lapping die movable with each member of the'separable clamppmeans for separating the clamping members and dies to allow movement of the bar between them,

and means for actuating thelappingdiesto turn'the said projectingends into angular positions with respect to the axis of the channeled bar. r

4:. A lapping press for bending the projecting parallel ends of the flanges of a channeled cross bar, comprising a separable clamp for holding the cross bar, means for separating the clamping members to permit movement of the work, a lapping die movable with each member of the clamp, and rotatable upon an axis parallel to-the plane of such separating movement, means to irnpart clamping movement to the said members, and means to rotate the lapping dies to turn the said projecting ends into angular positions with respect to the flanges of which they form a part.

5. A lapping press for bending the projecting parallel ends of the flanges of a cross bar, comprising means for clamping the said bar at the bending line, rotating shafts carrying lapping dies for operation upon the said projecting ends, and means for actuating the said shafts to turn the said ends into angular positions with respect to the flanges of the bar.

6. A lapping press for bending the projecting parallel ends of the flanges of a cross bar, comprising means for clamping the said bar at the bending line, axially parallel rotating shafts carryinglapping dies for operation upon the said projecting ends, and means for actuating the said shafts to turn the said ends into angular posit-ions with respect to the flanges of the bar.

7. A lapping press for bending the projecting ends of the flanges of a channeled cross bar, comprising lapping dies arranged for simultaneous operation upon the said projecting ends to turn them from the planes of the flanges, in combination with means for so actuating the dies, whereby the stresses generated in the bending operations are neutralized by the longitudinal reslstance of the cross bar.

8. A lapping press for bending the projecting ends of a bar, comprising means for presenting bars in intermitting succession with the ends of each bar in position for operation thereon, clamping means for the bar, lapping dies adjacent each end of the bar, and means for actuating the lapping dies to turn the ends of the bar during the periods of rest of the presenting means.

9. In a lapping press for bending the projecting ends of a bar, lapping dies movable toward and from each other to permit movement of the work into position between the said dies for a lapping operation, means for so moving the lapping dies, and other means for actuating the said diesto change the line of the bar.

10. In a lapping press, a. pair of lapping dies oppositely movable 1n separated parallel paths into and out of the field of their operation to permit movement of the work intobending position in the said field, means for so moving-the lapping dies, and means for simultaneously actuating the said la-pping dies to change the lines of the work by bending pressure exerted by the said dies.

11. In a lapping press, a pair of lapping dies, means for actuating the said dies .to

perform bending operations, and means for effecting a relativelylateral adjustment of the said dies into position for operation upon work of different widths.

12. In a lapping press for bending the projecting ends of metal bars, a base, housings thereon, each housing containing. a lapping mechanism for operating upon the ends of the bar, and means for adjusting the said, housings with relation to each other, whereby the lapping mechanisms contained therein may be positioned to bend the ends of bars of different lengths. 7

13. In a lapping press for bending the projecting ends-of metal bars, a base ,-housings thereon, each housing containing a-lapping mechanism for operating upon the ends of the bar, means for adjusting the said housings with relation to each other, whereby the lapping mechanisms contained therein may be positioned ,to-bend the ends of bars of different lengths, and common power connectlons for jolntly actuating the said lapping mechanisms.

14. A press provided with means for holding a cross bar, lapping dies arranged at each end of the holding means and co-opin line with the axis about which the work is to be bent, said clamping means being adapted to engage the work in close proximity to the bending line, a die carried by said shaft, means for actuating the said shaft, and adjustable-bearings for the shaft, whereby the axes of the latter may be inclined, and lapping operations performed at various-angles with reference to the por-' tion of the work engaged by the clamping means.

17. A lappingpressforbending the'longitudinally projecting ends of the flanges of channel bars, including the combinationwith bar supporting means,- of two sets of movable clamping jaws, means for actuating" said sets of clamping jawsin oppositefdi motions toengagebetween them the flanges of a channel bar carried by said'support, a set of shafts each having a. die adapted to bear upon the projecting portion of one of the side'fianges, with one face of the die and the axis of the shaft substantially alined and co-incident with the line about which the flange is folded, and means for simultaneously oscillating said shafts in opposite directions, whereby the projecting portions of said flanges may be turned by said dies from the plane of the bar.

18. A lapping press, including a plurality of shafts, bearings supporting the shafts in positions lineally and laterally offset from each of the other and with ends contiguous, co-acting clamps supported from the respective bearings, and adapted to engage the work between them, lapping dies mounted on the contiguous ends the shafts and adapted to bear against projecting portions of the work, and means for actuating the shafts;

19. A lapping press, including the combination witha set of co-acting clamping jaws, means for supporting and actuating said jaws toward and away from each other, and an oscillatory member associated with one of the jaws and adapted to turn about an axis in the plane of the gripping face of the associated jaw, whereby said jaws may be adjusted to clamp a blank between them and said oscillatory member subsequently actuated to fold the blank about said axis.

20. In a lapping press, the combination with a work gripping aw, of an oscillatory member adapted to swing upon an axis parallel and adjacent to one margin of the gripping jaw and having an acting face adapted to bear upon the work upon one side of said gripping jaw in a plane which includes the axis of oscillation of said member.

21..In a lapping press, the combination of a set of clamping members adapted to engage the work between them, an oscillatory member associated with one of the clamping members and having an acting face adapted to engage the work at one side of the associated clamping member, and means for actuating the oscillatory member to effect folding operation while the clamping members are in clamping position.

A'lapping press, including the combination with a jaw supporting member, a set of jaws having oppositely disposed gripping faces, wedge actuating abutments connected with said jaws and having inclined faces, a wedge supportingmember adapted for relative movement toward and away from said jaws, along lines parallel with their. gripping faces, wedge jaws movably mounted on said wedge supporting member and adapted to move upon the inclined faces of the wedge abutments, and along the wedge supporting member into gripping relation to the first mentioned jaws, fo ding dies associated with the respective jaws of one of the sets, and means for actuating said dies when the jaws are in gripping relation to each other.

23. A lapping press, including the combination with sets of co-acting clamping devices, of a set of oscillatory shafts, each provided with a die having an active face sub stantially in line with theaxis of the shaft and adjacent to the side margin of one of the jaws, and means for actuating the shafts to effect a folding operation upon the work when the jaws are in clamping relation to each other.

24. A lapping press for channel bars, including the combination with sets of co-acting clamping devices adapted to engage the side flanges of the channel bar, of a set of oscillatory die supporting members, and dies thereon, each having an active face substantially in the axis of oscillation of the said supporting member, and adjacent to the side margin of one of the clamping jaws.

25. A lapping press for channel bars, including the combination with sets of co-acting clamping. devices adapted to engage the side flanges of the channel bar, of a set of oscillatory die supporting members, and dies thereon each having an active face substantially in the axis of oscillation of the said supporting member, and adjacent to the side margin of one of the clamping jaws, the clamping jaws of each set being adapted to move upon each other along lines substantially parallel with said axis of oscillation, and being provided with means where'- by one of the jaws is also subjected to a wedging action to force it transversely to said line in the direction of the other.

26. A lapping press, including separable sets of clamping jaws, lapping dies, one associated with one of the jaws of each set, means for separating the jaws to allow the presentation of the work between them, and

means for oscillating the said dies about an axis parallel to the lines of jaw separation.

27. A lapping press, including separable sets of clamping jaws, lapping dies, one associated with one of the jaws of each-set, means for separating the jaws to allow the presentation of the work between them, means for oscillating the dies about an axis parallel to the lines of jaw separation, and means for effecting agripping engagement of the jaws upon the work at an angle to the lines of separating movement.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names at Milwaukee, this 22nd day of July, 1920;

R. STANLEY SMITH; THORV. HANSEN.

Witnesses W. F. Woornnn, ELIZABETH t lUnRAr. 

